As a grown and responsible man or woman who is in a relationship, you’ve got to be in charge of your sex life. A big part of your existence in life comes from being able to know what you want, doing it and owning up to whatever consequences it births. Don’t want to contact STDs? Make efforts to prevent it by using protection during sex. Not ready to have babies? Same goes. And prevention will always be better than cure.
While condoms and contraceptive pills may be helpful in helping you prevent STDs and pregnancies, they are not the only options out there. In order to have a more enjoyable sex life, you should try out some other easy to use and super effective contraception methods that won’t take the fun out of sex. Here are 5 effective contraception methods that you probably didn’t know about:
NuvaRing
Heard of NuvaRing before? It is a hormone-delivering ring that you insert into your vagina to keep your ovaries from releasing eggs. It has to be replaced every three weeks. Medical experts believe it to be 91 to 99 percent effective.
The only side-effects you may experience from using NuvaRing include nausea, irregular bleeding, sore breasts, and decreased sex drive. You get to decide if that’s too much stress for the peace of mind you get from inserting NuvaRing into your vagina before sex.
The Patch (Xulane)
The Patch also works like NuvaRing, preventing your ovaries from releasing eggs by delivering hormones. The only difference between both is the process of use and the duration they last, while you insert NuvaRing into your vagina and leave it in for three weeks, you just stick Xulane like a band-aid on your body and replace after 7 days. The patch is equally as effective as NuvaRing. Cons of using it may include sore breasts, irregular bleeding, decreased sex drive, and nausea.
Sponge
This is another contraception method that involves insertion. The white foam is filled with spermicide to prevent sperm from getting into your uterus. Unlike NuvaRing though, it is 71 to 86 percent effective and may not be easy to insert. If you are allergic to polyurethane or sulfa drugs, this method is not for you.
Diaphragm And Spermicide
This works exactly the same way as the sponge—blocking the uterus to prevent sperm from entering. The cup, which is made of silicone or latex, has to be inserted into your vagina by a provider. You don’t take it out immediately after sex; it has to be there for six hours. Effectiveness of this method is within the range of 88 – 94 percent. Like the above method, the diaphragm may also be difficult to insert and it’s not for those allergic to spermicide or silicone.
Cervical Cap And Spermicide
There is absolutely no difference between cervical cap and diaphragm—the only difference may be the price tag. A cervical cap is usually more expensive than the diaphragm.
A provider also has to help you with inserting the cervical cap and you have to leave it in for 6 hours after sex.
While all these contraception methods are female-inclined, you should not rest on your oars as a man. You can remind your partner about using any of these contraception methods and you can use a male condom or practice the withdrawal method. Both of you should settle on what feels right and fair!
